Vacuum cleaner suction port assembly and vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner suction port assembly has an upper and a lower housings, a first and a second suction ports formed on the lower housing, at least one upper opening pierced in the upper housing, allowing an external air to be drawn therethrough by the suction force of the first and the second suction ports, and at least one lower opening formed on the lower housing, the lower opening located between the first and the second suction ports and fluidly communicating with the upper opening such that the air drawn through the upper opening is guided to between the first and the second suction ports to scatter the dusts therefrom. Accordingly, cleaning efficiency increases not only at both sides, but also at the center of the suction port assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-50991 filed Jul. 1, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and more particularly, to a suction port assembly of a vacuum cleaner through which contaminants of a surface being cleaned are drawn into the cleaner body.

Generally, a vacuum cleaner sucks in dust particles and contaminants of a surface being cleaned with a suction force generated by a vacuum source mounted inside the cleaner body. Vacuum sources usable in vacuum cleaners are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and a description of them is omitted for brevity.

The vacuum cleaner usually includes a cleaner body which houses a motor therein to generate suction force, a suction port assembly facing a surface being cleaned to draw in contaminants therefrom, and a fluid passage extended from the suction port assembly to guide drawn contaminants to the cleaner body. The extended fluid passage includes an extension pipe connector movably connected with the suction port assembly, an extension pipe connected with the extension pipe connector, and a suction hose connected with the extension pipe.

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a prior art conventional suction port assembly 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the suction port assembly includes an upper housing 10 and a lower housing 11. A suction port 14 is formed in the lower housing 11 to draw in contaminants from the surface being cleaned. The lower housing 11 is also provided with contaminant channels 12 at both laterally opposite sides S thereof, and therefore, contaminants can also be drawn into the vacuum source from both sides S of the suction port assembly 2 through the suction port 14.

The suction port assembly 2, however, generally has only one fluid passage to transfer the vacuum force for sucking in the contaminants. Accordingly, while suction force at the center C of the suction port 14 is strong, both sides S have relatively degraded suction force. In other words, cleaning efficiency is good at the center C of the suction port 14, but cleaning efficiency degrades at the sides S of the suction port 14. The cleaning efficiency is particularly low when cleaning a wide area.

An effort has been made to overcome this problem in the conventional art, and there has been a suggestion to form suction port at both sides of the suction port assembly. However, a suction port at both sides of the suction port assembly is accompanied with the problem of cleaning efficiency degradation at the center of the suction port assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in order to solve the above drawbacks and other problems associated with the conventional arrangement. An aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved type of suction port assembly which can provide higher cleaning efficiency not only at the sides, but also at the center area, and a vacuum cleaner having the improved suction port assembly.

The above aspects and/or other features of the present invention can be substantially achieved by providing a suction port assembly, including, upper and a lower housings, a first and a second suction port formed on the lower housing, at least one upper opening pierced in the upper housing, allowing an external air to be drawn there through by the suction force of the first and the second suction ports, and at least one lower opening formed on the lower housing, the lower opening located between the first and the second suction ports and fluidly communicating with the upper opening such that the air drawn through the upper opening is guided to between the first and the second suction ports to scatter the dusts therefrom. Cleaning efficiency at the center of the suction port assembly increases. The vacuum cleaner efficiency also increases not only at both sides, but also at the center of the suction port assembly, can be provided.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the suction port assembly has an upper and a lower housing, and first and second suction ports formed in the lower housing. Additionally, the lower housing is provided with a first and a second dust channels connected with the first and the second suction ports, and lower openings at the first and the second dust channels, respectively. There are also upper openings formed in the upper housing, in fluid communication with the lower openings.

By the structure as described above, external air is drawn through the upper openings by the suction force at the suction ports, and drawn air is passed through the lower openings, scattering the dusts from the center part of the suction port assembly. The scattered dusts are moved through the first and the second dust channels, and drawn through the first and the second suction ports. As a result, cleaning efficiency of the suction port assembly increases not only at both sides, but also at the center.

When the dusts are drawn through the suction ports, the dusts are guided through the first and the second fluid passages formed in the upper and lower housings, and therefore, moved to the cleaner body. The fluid passage cover, forming the top of the first and the second fluid passages, may preferably be formed of a transparent material so that the user can observe the movement of the drawn air from outside, and therefore, relieved from the inconvenience of having to check the entire fluid passages of the vacuum cleaner when problem occurs in the fluid passages of the suction port assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above aspects and features of the present invention will be more apparent by describing certain embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a prior art conventional suction port assembly for a vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a suction port assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a suction port assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a suction port assembly to explain operation thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain embodiments of the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and elements are nothing but the ones provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can be carried out without those defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a suction port assembly 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an upper housing 211 forming an upper part of the suction port assembly 200, and a lower housing 222 forming the lower part. The upper housing 211 includes a fluid passage cover 250 engaged with the lower housing 222, and an upper cover 211 positioned above the fluid passage cover 250 and engaged with the lower housing 222.

One or more upper openings 213 are pierced in the upper cover 212 such that an air passage way exists through the upper cover 212, allowing external air to be drawn there through. The upper cover 212 is additionally provided with a cutaway part 214 formed in configuration corresponding to that of the fluid passage cover 250 so that the fluid passage cover 250 can be exposed to the outside of the suction port assembly 200. Accordingly, the fluid passage cover 250 is protruded out through the cutaway part 214. Although there are two upper openings 213 depicted in the figures that are formed as slits, the term “opening” should be construed to include one more openings of other shapes as well. For instance, one or more oval, circular, elliptical, square or rectangular holes may be perforated instead of the two shown in the figures. Any one or more passages through the upper cover 212 are all “openings.” Alternatively, a cover member may be mounted on the upper opening to selectively open only at the time of air suction.

As shown in FIG. 3, a dust channel 240 is formed on the bottom of the lower housing 222 in a stepwise configuration. The dust channel 240 is divided by a rib 246 formed on the bottom of the lower housing 222 between a first dust channel 242 operatively connected with the first suction port 226 and a second dust channel 244 operatively connected with the second suction port 228. Two lower openings 235 are formed in the first dust channel 242 and the second dust channel 244 in near to the rib 246, respectively. Alternate embodiments of the openings 235 include oval or triangular openings as well. The lower openings 235 may be formed in a variety of locations and configurations so long as they are operatively coupled to the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228.

By the structure as described above, external air can flow through the upper openings 213 and be guided toward the bottom of the lower housing 222 through the lower openings 235. As the external air is drawn in, dust between the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228 is scattered, and sucked into the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228 through the first and the second dust channels 242 and 244. By this operation, dusts at both sides S of the suction port assembly 200 can be efficiently cleaned and cleaning efficiency at the center part C also increases. As a result, the vacuum cleaner can effectively clean even the wide cleaning area. The dotted arrows of FIG. 3 indicate a passage through which the air from the upper openings 213 is flowed through the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228 via the lower openings 235. Two pairs of spaced wheels 239 are mounted front and rear sides of the bottom of the lower housing 222.

As shown in FIG. 2, there are first and second fluid passages 230 and 232 in the lower housing 222, fluidly communicating with the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228. More specifically, the first and the second fluid passages 230 and 232 are spaces formed by the lower housing 222 defined by the bottom 222 and the fluid passage cover 250. Accordingly, dusts scattered by the air from the upper and lower openings 213 and 235 are guided through the first and the second suction ports 226 and 238 to the first and the second fluid passages 230 and 232, and moved to the cleaner body 100 (FIG. 4). The lower housing 222 is provided at its rear end with a lower extension pipe connector mount 224 on which the lower side of an articulating coupler 118 of the extension pipe connector 116 is rotatably mounted. The lower housing 222 is additionally provided with a fluid passage cover mount 234 to which the fluid passage cover 250 is mounted.

The fluid passage cover 250 takes on substantially the arch configuration in vertical section with respect to the motion of drawn in air. The fluid passage cover 250 is preferably formed of transparent plastic material for the observance of the user. Accordingly, the user may timely notice problems such as dust blockage in the fluid passage. A flange 258 is extended along the boundary of the fluid passage cover 250, which is pressed by the upper cover 212 during the engagement of the upper cover 212 with the lower housing 222.

The assembling process of the suction port assembly 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

First, the articulating coupler 118 of the extension pipe connector 116 is inserted in the lower extension pipe connector mount 224 at the rear end or backside of the lower housing 222. The fluid passage cover 250 is mounted on the fluid passage cover mount part formed on the lower housing 222. Next, with the mounting of the fluid passage cover 250 to the lower housing 222, the articulating coupler 118 of the extension pipe connector 116 is movably mounted on the upper and lower extension pipe connector mount 224 and 264. The upper cover 212 is then attached to the lower housing 122 and the fluid passage cover 250. The suction port assembly is finally assembled by the fastening members 236 such as screws, engaged through corresponding fastening holes 238 formed on the upper cover 212 and the lower housing 212. Also, the upper cover 212 presses on the flange 258 of the fluid passage cover 250 such that the fluid passage cover 250 and the lower housing 222 can be airtight-engaged with each other.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the vacuum cleaner according to one certain embodiment of the present invention includes a vacuum cleaner body 100 having a vacuum source mounted therein, a suction port assembly 200 as described above, for drawing in dusts from a surface being cleaned with the vacuum force generated from the vacuum source, and an extension fluid passage 110 extended from the suction port assembly 200 to guide the drawn in dusts toward the vacuum cleaner body 100. The extension fluid passage 110 includes an extension pipe connector 116 having an articulating coupler 118 which is movably engaged with the suction port assembly 200, an extension pipe 114 connected with the extension pipe connector 116, and a suction hose 112 connected with one end to the extension pipe 114 and with other end to the vacuum cleaner body 100.

FIG. 5 is the front view of the suction port assembly 200 as described above, with reference to which the operation of the suction port assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The operation of the suction port assembly 200 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Suction force generated from the vacuum source of the vacuum cleaner body 100 is transferred to the suction port assembly 200 through the suction hose 112, the extension pipe 114 and the extension pipe connector 116. The suction force is then transferred to the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228 via the first and the second fluid passages 230 and 232. Accordingly, as the suction force is transferred, dusts from the surface being cleaned are sucked in through the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228. The suction force is also transferred to the first dust channel 242 (FIG. 3) and the second dust channel 244 (FIG. 3), and to the lower openings 235. The suction force is then transferred through the space sealingly defined by the upper cover 212 and the lower housing 222, and transferred to the lower openings 235. Dusts between the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228 are scattered, and drawn in by the suction force through the first and the second dust channels 242 and 244 (FIG. 3) to the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228. The dusts drawn into the first and the second suction ports 226 and 228 are guided through the first and the second fluid passages 230 and 232, and moved to the extension pipe connector 116, the extension pipe 114, the suction hose 112, and into the vacuum cleaner body 100.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the suction port assembly 200 described above will provide improved cleaning. Similarly, a vacuum cleaner having the same suction port assembly will provide improved cleaning. Because of the external air sucked in through the upper openings formed in the upper housing and through the lower openings formed in the lower housing, dusts between the first and the second suction ports can be scattered and removed. As a result, cleaning efficiency at center part of the suction port assembly can be improved. As a result, the cleaning efficiency even in the wide area can be improved.

Additionally, because the fluid passage cover 250 is formed of a transparent material, the user immediately notice problem such as dust blockage in the fluid passage from outside. The user is therefore relieved from the inconvenience of having to check the entire fluid passage of the vacuum cleaner when a blockage occurs in the fluid passage in the suction port assembly 200.

The foregoing embodiment and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A suction port assembly, comprising: upper and a lower housings; a first and a second suction ports formed on the lower housing; at least one upper opening in the upper housing, allowing external air to be drawn there through by a suction force applied to the first and the second suction ports; and at least one lower opening formed on the lower housing, the lower opening located between the first and the second suction ports and fluidly communicating with the upper opening such that the air drawn through the upper opening is guided to between the first and the second suction ports to scatter the dusts therefrom.
 2. The suction port assembly of claim 1, further comprising a dust channel formed on the lower housing in a stepwise configuration with respect to the bottom of the lower housing, the dust channel connecting the first and the second suction ports, wherein the lower opening is located in the dust channel.
 3. The suction port assembly of claim 2, further comprising a rib formed on the dust channel, dividing the dust channel into a first dust channel connected to the first suction port and a second dust channel connected to the second suction port wherein the lower opening is formed in the first and the second dust channels, respectively.
 4. The suction port assembly of claim 1, further comprising first and second fluid passages formed on the upper and the lower housings, each being fluidly communicated with the first and the second suction ports, such that the air drawn through the first and the second suction ports is guided there through.
 5. The suction port assembly of claim 4, wherein the upper housing comprises: a fluid passage cover forming the top of the first and the second fluid passages, and engaged with the lower housing; and an upper cover positioned above the fluid passage cover, and engaged with the lower housing.
 6. The suction port assembly of claim 5, wherein the fluid passage cover is formed of a transparent material.
 7. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a cleaner body housing a vacuum source therein; an extension fluid passage, a first end of which is connected to the cleaner body in a fluidly communicating manner with the vacuum source; and a suction port assembly connected to a second end of the extension fluid passage, and wherein the suction port assembly comprises, upper and a lower housing; a first and a second suction ports formed on the lower housing; at least one upper opening in the upper housing, allowing an external air to be drawn there through by the suction force of the first and the second suction ports.
 8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, further comprising a dust channel formed on the lower housing in a stepwise configuration with respect to the bottom of the lower housing, the dust channel connecting the first and the second suction ports, wherein the lower opening is located in the dust channel.
 9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the upper housing comprises: a fluid passage cover forming the top of the first and the second fluid passages, and engaged with the lower housing; and an upper cover positioned above the fluid passage cover, and engaged with the lower housing. 